As daylight was breaking, the Jews brought Jesus to Pilate in their determination to kill Him. Pilate was not a Jew but a Roman who had been appointed governor over the land. The governor went out to those assembled and asked why they had brought Jesus to him. One of the charges was that Jesus Himself had said that He was the Messiah and a king.
When Pilate learned this, he asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. In answering this question, Jesus clearly implied that His authority was so great that even Pilate was subject to God (John 19:11). His defense before Pilate reveals so much about the nature of the kingdom. “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). It is vital that we understand His kingdom and its relationship to the world.
His kingdom is NOT of this world. The concept of a kingdom in the mind of Herod, the Jews and many in Christendom is impacted because earthly kingdoms have a king who has great authority and sits on a throne. Yet, the words of Jesus indicate another kind of kingdom. Some even view that a time will come when He will sit on a throne in Jerusalem ruling the world. Hear the words of Jesus. I am a King. I have a kingdom. The kingdom that I have is not like the kingdoms of this world.
His kingdom is IN this world. There were eighty-four messengers who affirmed that the kingdom was to be established in the first century—John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2); Jesus (Matt. 4:17); the apostles (Matt. 10:7); and the Seventy (Luke 10:9). Those in sin were delivered from sin and brought into that kingdom (Col. 1:13). It was a reality. It was visible. However, it was spiritual in nature and not of this world. Jesus used these words to describe those in the kingdom. They are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:11-16)
His kingdom is ABOVE this world. The primary difference between these two concepts of kingdoms is that the kingdom of Jesus is above all kingdoms. It is repeatedly described as the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is that King of kings. He is above all kings. The kingdom is kingdom above all kingdoms.
His kingdom is FOR this world. Why is the kingdom in the world? It is because it is the salt of this earth and the light of this world (Matt. 5:13-14). It is not here simply to be a gathering of worshipers each week. It is like the church in Thessalonica whose impact was such that “…the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place” (1 Thess. 1:8). We are here for this world and to give it the hope of heaven.
Entrance into that kingdom involves a new birth, being born again as His Spirit leads us to a baptism in water (John 3:5). Let us know how we can help you!